Archive

  • Mix-up leaves LR in low gear

    A MUCH weakened Atherton LR were never in with a shout at Vauxhall Motors, going down 4-1. Manager Steve Plant was forced into a late re-shuffle with the non-arrival of several senior players. Among the changes was striker Danny Pilling taking the goalkeeper's

  • Claire's the Top Girl

    TYLDESLEY SC honoured their Top Girls and Top Boys at the 28th Annual Mini Gala. The youngsters were divided into two age groups (U8s and U10s), many enjoying their first taste of competitive swimming and demonstrating their skills over 25 metres at backstroke

  • Tyldesley put wind up Ambleside

    TYLDESLEY RU scored a thrilling 17-10 win at Ambleside in the windswept Lake District. From the start they controlled the lineouts with both Craig Pulman and Lee West taking solid possession. Good play by the backs set up a lineout for West to win and

  • Parents' rescue bid for school

    PARENTS are mounting a rescue plan to save the 63-year-old Whitefield Prep School from closure. The Church Lane building has already been sold but parents of the 34 pupils at the school have formed a trust and are looking for alternative premises. Current

  • Sir David's legacy and love story

    FORMER Rossendale and Darwen MP Sir David Trippier has penned an autobiography to provide a vivid insight into life as a minister during the Thatcher years. Lend Me Your Ears, launched at this week's Tory party conference in Blackpool, details Sir David's

  • Jack's airline poised to fly to the rescue

    BOSSES at Jack Walker's airline were today keeping tight lipped over speculation it could be ready to step in to save a stricken rival. Hundreds of passengers were left without flights when Debonair Airways crashed into the hands of administrators last

  • Holiday death of hospice volunteer

    A HOLIDAY in Spain ended in tragedy for a Radcliffe family. Mr Jeffrey Helliwell (61) suffered a fatal heart attackattack while on holiday in Spain. The tragedy happened on Saturday evening when he returned to his hotel room after a meal to get changed

  • Heads down for Hoppers

    A DISAPPOINTING display at Beeston saw Hoppers come away pointless from a game which they could so easily have won in the rugby union Jewson North 1 League. The concession of a try to Nottingham full back Murphy in the opening minutes was evidence that

  • Pupil stabbed in school dining room

    A TEENAGER has been arrested after a fellow pupil was stabbed in the head in front of 150 youngsters in a packed school dining room. Police and paramedics were called after the 15-year-old victim was injured with a pocket knife at Our Lady and St John

  • Mast plan opposition

    THE proposed introduction of a new British Telecom mast is just not cricket. That is the view of residents in the Brandlesholme and Woodbank areas to BT Cellnet's plans to erect a 15 metre telecommunications tower at Woodbank Cricket Club. The initial

  • Let's do it again!

    I WOULD like to thank everyone who attended the Rainford High School Reunion on September 24 for their lovely gifts and memories of the past. Thank you once again. I would also like to thank the Star newspaper for their support in putting my notices in

  • Rain dampens league round

    RAIN brought a halt to many of the weekend's amateur action around the area, as players found themselves in the pub instead of on the park. Just one game in the Premier Division saw Euxton Villa beat Pageant FC 6-3. Division One managed two games, with

  • Mullin set for first start since return

    JOHN Mullin looks set to start his first League game at Turf Moor since his return to the Clarets in Sunday's televised showdown with Scunthorpe. Mullin has been beset by injury problems following his summer move from Sunderland back to the club where

  • Old 'waterfall' of childhood memories

    IT'S hardly recognisable now. But at one time, the Sutton 'waterfall' occupied an idyllic setting where children picnicked and enjoyed sliding down the adjacent slopes. Miss Edith Carter, from Mill Lane, Sutton Leach, in her eighties but still as bright

  • Superb effort by fund-raisers

    I'VE received a kind letter from Ann Dalton, chairman of the local fund-raising group for Age Concern. Thanking me for officially opening their first-ever family-fun gala, in the Mansion House grounds at Victoria Park, St Helens, she reports that the

  • BGS boys are prize guys

    ACADEMIC success was celebrated at Bury Grammar School (Boys) at the annual prize-giving ceremony. Pupils were presented with their A-level and GCSE certificates and prizes by the special guest, The Venerable George Austin, formerly the Archdeacon of

  • Religion may not be for them

    I AM writing in response to the letter which appeared in the Star under the heading 'It's Just Christian Propaganda.' I too feel very strongly about Christianity being taught in schools. As a pagan mum I feel Christianity is one religion of many and pupils

  • Events in East Lancashire on Saturday, October 9th

    Coffee Morning, Clitheroe Town Hall, 10am-12 noon. Friends of Bocholt Christmas Market, Pyramid Room, Unitarian Chapel, Bank Street, Rawtenstall, 10am-4pm. "Autumn Leaves" Dance, Accrington Town Hall. Pond Dipping, Aisled Barn, Wycoller, 2pm and 4pm.

  • Amy celebrates 112th birthday

    A REMARKABLE 112 years young - that's Bury woman Mrs Amy Hulmes. And one of Britain's oldest ladies marked her latest coming of age surrounded by loved ones at Chestnut Court Nursing and Residential Home on Tuesday. Family and carers helped the birthday

  • Family GP on trial

    THE media circus flocked to Preston town centre this week for the opening of the trial of Dr Harold Shipman - the family GP charged with the murder of 15 of his patients and one charge of forgery. Dr Shipman was in Preston Crown Court, on Tuesday, October

  • Traffic problems in St Helens

    HAS anyone in their right mind given any thought to the traffic problems in St Helens. Well I live in Haydock and I can speak with authority on the subject, yes when you can say things like this it is worth hearing. Twenty minutes to cross the road for

  • Little evacuees who never forgot

    THE old town has come in for plenty of stick over the years. Complaints over the destruction of landmark buildings such as the old market hall and Helena House, about the horrendous modern day traffic layout and its threatening town-centre atmosphere

  • Divine intervention

    THE Divine Light Appeal's grand raffle has been drawn and the winners have been announced. And the raffle, which was promoted in St George's Shopping Centre for two weeks, has raised the final £2,500 needed to light up St John's for the Millennium. The

  • Paddy's 'ghetto' warning ignored

    THE warning fell on deaf ears. But the prediction of legendary man of action Paddy Gill that a ghetto was about to be created in the heart of St Helens was to have the ring of truth about it. Paddy's widow, Bernie, having witnessed the unloved St Thomas

  • Trader loses race case

    A RADCLIFFE Market trader who accused Bury Council of racial discrimination has lost his case. Mr Parshotam Lal, of Whitefield, brought a case before Manchester County Court stating that the council, in enforcing stall registration policy and market rules

  • Go green for a week

    KEEN greens - and everyone else - are invited to do their bit and join in Bury Environment Week. Seven days of events starting on Sunday have been lined up offering a range of serious and fun projects to highlight and help defend the local environment

  • Corn mill wheel's in motion

    DEVELOPERS have been given the go-ahead to convert a 19th century corn mill in the Ribble Valley into executive houses. Crosby Homes North West Ltd is to turn the Abbey Corn Mill in King Street, Whalley, into 17 two, three and four-bedroom houses. But

  • Walk this way

    THE rain ceased for a few hours, to allow the colourful civic procession from Preston Town Hall to the Parish Church to go ahead in brilliant sunshine. The parade, led by the Mayor and Mayoress of Preston, Geoff and Jean Swarbrick, pictured right, on

  • Wee problem

    WHEN I went to a pub restaurant recently, the staff were having some sort of problem. It seems that someone had let their child dirty the floor and nobody wanted to clean it up. It was sickening to hear this, because the pub was generally very clean.

  • Lecturer suspended

    A SENIOR lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire has been suspended and a high-level inquiry launched into alleged financial irregularities, the Citizen can reveal. Diane Roberts, head of the department of hospitality, has been suspended, while

  • Sad parents thank the dream makers

    BRAVE Paul Creighton has lost his battle with leukaemia. On Tuesday the 20-year-old, whose active lifestyle was shattered when cancer struck him three years ago, died in Wigan & Leigh Hospice. Paul, of Eastwood Grove, Leigh, died just six months after

  • Stairway to musical hell

    I HAD to laugh when I heard that the group Steps being described as 'pop sensations'. The charts these days are full of vastly over-rated pretty boy/girl groups, prancing around and acting the goat without an instrument in sight. The main culprits are

  • Duck for the cup

    IT'S all gone quackers for Preston's Deepdale Duck after he notched up appearances on four television stations in one day! The PNE mascot managed to get his beak on BBC1, ITV, Sky News and Sky Sports all in one day after he appeared at the Labour Party

  • Time to remember

    THE leaves of autumn are starting to fall and again the poppy is beginning to bloom. It is that time of year when we remember the debt we owe to all those who fell and give thanks to those who returned, that we could live in freedom. The Royal British

  • Sign up for Elms action

    IN reply to Councillor Derek Boden (Your Letters, Oct 1) I would point out that I am no politician and I am certainly not interested in scoring points against the council over the matter of Elms Precinct. My main point in my previous correspondence was

  • Linking the county

    LANCASHIRE County Council and British Telecom are leading the way in delivering information to the county at the touch of a screen or button. The pioneering Lancashire Information Network Kiosk System (LINKS) was launched last week, utilising the latest

  • Bread 'n better for local bakers

    WATERFIELDS bakers just get better and better. Leigh's Manchester Road bakery has this week collected two industry 'oscars' at a top award ceremony in London. Company managing director John Waterfield was crowned Britain's Baker of the Year and confectionery

  • 25-year reunion of

    'Chesham Comets' BURY Cycle Speedway club, originally known as Chesham Comets, are 25 years old this month and are planning a race meeting and a grand celebration and reunion on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, October 30. The club are anxious to

  • Ambulance crews send out SOS

    AN SOS is being sent out to encourage people to help Lancashire's ambulance crews to save more lives. The Heart of Lancashire Appeal, which was set up and is sponsored by county's ambulance service, needs volunteers to organise and run charity events

  • Listen to the people

    ON SEPTEMBER 29, councillors of the Preston Borough Council's policy and resources committee voted against allowing the Muslim Burial and Welfare Society to carry out the feasibility study to adapt the London Road athletic track for Muslim burials. Tory

  • Nice little learner!

    TEENAGER Jonathan Thompson won't be worrying about student debt as he starts his degree in Preston - he's worth £2.7 million! At the tender age of 19 Jonathan owns three businesses, all of which he started from scratch, possesses three houses and can

  • ICE HOCKEY: Cup double for Hawks

    BLACKBURN fans are in for a rare double header this weekend as the Hawks challenge for the Anglo-Welsh Cup. Hawks tackle Flintshire at the Arena on Saturday night (face off 6pm) and travel to Wales for the return leg on Sunday. Player-boss Bobby Haig

  • Oasis fan blamed for ruined site

    FURIOUS pensioners have been left without a decent bowling green after a vandal etched a tribute to rock star Liam Gallagher in the turf. The OAPs say the latest graffiti attack was so damaging that other youths, who use the green to play football and

  • NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Smith blow

    COLNE striker Andy Smith, above, looks set to miss the rest of the season after breaking a leg in a freak training accident. The former Clitheroe front man, who has scored seven times already this season, sustained the injury after a collision with a

  • Drinkers warned of charity con

    TIME is being called on bogus charity collectors who are targeting South Ribble villages, conning cash out on unsuspecting drinkers. Villages, including Higher Walton, Bamber Bridge, and Hoghton, have been plagued in recent months by con artists posing

  • 10 YEARS AGO: Backing for pitch

    BLACKBURN Rovers had given full backing to the new Techturf pitch at Ewood Park - despite the postponement of their game against Middlesbrough due to waterlogging. Tests were being carried out to solve the drainage problem that led to water accumulating

  • Clients get what they want

    PEOPLE power is helping improve services in the South Ribble Area. Following a series of surveys on cleansing, recycling and parks services, South Ribble Borough Council has used the feedback to improve services more towards the need of customers than

  • COUNTY CRICKET: Lancs delay coach choice

    LANCASHIRE may hang fire on appointing a successor to Peter Sleep as second team captain-coach until they have filled their head coaching vacancy. Sleep's decision to leave has taken the club by surprise and left them in need of a complete restructure

  • Plight of homeless

    HOMELESSNESS and the problems facing young people living on the streets was the focus of a gathering in Leyland last week. Agencies working to tackle the issue joined at South Ribble Civic Centre for the launch of a detailed report by the newly formed

  • BASKETBALL: Burnley 70 Penwortham 64

    BURNLEY turned out one man short of a full squad at the Thompson Centre in the usual pre-season friendly match against Penwortham. The two teams seemed well matched with Burnley edging ahead at half time with the score at 32-29. Everyone on the Burnley

  • Support for grieving mother

    THE mother of tragic student Jeremy Boothroyd has spoken of the gratitude she feels towards her son's friends and family in the wake of his sudden death. Jeremy, 32, of Sandy Lane, Leyland, died when a diving trip to Coniston Water a fortnight ago went

  • LOCAL SOCCER: In brief

    HUNCOAT United results - Under 14s 2 (Mitchell, Croasdale), Heysham Blue Star 0; Under 10 Stars 2 (Berry, McCarthy), Wilpshire 4. Man of the match: David Usman. All other games postponed due to waterlogged pitches. THE Midweek Seven-a-side League has

  • A stroke of inspiration

    A TORRENTIAL downpour did nothing to dampen the spirits of members of the Old Lidunians' Association on their annual competition at the Royal Lytham course. Forty-one competitors, all old boys of King Edward VII School, Lytham defied the elements to produce

  • Small-sided soccer leagues update

    IN Division A of the Rossall Sixes League Kings Arms are still the leaders after beating Daniel FC 1-0, while second-placed Holbro had a 1-1 draw with third-placed Supreme Plastics. Real Bispham had a 4-2 win over Untouchables and Macprint beat Wyvale

  • Exciting future

    BLACKPOOL South MP Gordon Marsden was invited to view exciting new plans for Palatine High School on Monday (October 4). Demand for places at the school has grown to such a level that a £1 million building project to increase facilities at the South Shore

  • Fitting tribute to far-sighted Cyril

    THE president and members of the Accrington Lions Club would like to pay tribute to Cyril Payne, who died last month. Cyril lived in Rishton and joined our club in 1981. He loved Hyndburn and certainly followed our motto "We Serve," by helping anyone

  • Heath edge home in derby

    Thatto Heath Crusaders 24 Portico Panthers 22 A BIG crowd saw the home side take the derby spoils in this hard-fought and physical battle but they were pushed all the way by a determined Portico side. Portico started strongly and took an 8-0 lead with

  • Impressive start

    CARLETON A have made an impressive start to the season winning both their matches 8-2, the last against Ansdell Arena A to head the table in the premier division of the Lytham St Annes and District Table Tennis League. By contrast, last season's champions

  • Real eye-opener

    AS a resident of Hyndburn, I have read that the intention of the new Tory council is to get closer to the people, so to observe that policy, I went along to the policy and resources committee recently. What a performance we saw from the chairman, Councillor

  • Jobs for the dogs

    LANCASHIRE Constabulary is looking for new recruits but prospective candidates must have a wet nose, four legs and fur! The dog training section is on the look out for suitable dogs for general policing work. Particular breeds that they are interested

  • Plucky Recs go down fighting

    Farnworth 26 Pilkington Recs 6 RECS bowed out of the Lancashire Cup against high-flying Premier League side Farnworth, but they were far from disgraced as they stayed with their opponents for much of the contest. Farnworth scored first after just six

  • Arson attack shock for Muslims

    SOUTH Shore residents as well as Muslims were deeply upset after a proposed mosque was set on fire. Someone squirted lighter fuel through the letterbox of the former Cartmel's sign workshop off Central Drive - just three days after the Fylde Islamic Community

  • Show of strength

    CAMPAIGNERS fighting to relocate Nightingale Hall Farm have called on the public to voice their protests direct to the Government. Environment minister Michael Meacher is seeking wider consultation over new guidelines to curb the smells generated by rendering

  • Happy Millennium, folks!

    SOME Fylde Coast residents are going to have a very happy Millennium Eve - the workers. For whether they are given no choice or asked to volunteer, most employees working over the New Year holiday will get bumper pay packets. Among the top pay premiums

  • Seasiders face a mountain to climb

    ANOTHER poor performance from the Seasiders in the West Country sent them crashing to second bottom of Division Two after losing 3-1 to Bristol Rovers on Saturday (Oct 2). And it really is a mountain to climb for Nigel Worthington and his men to climb

  • Brook facing fight for survival

    Leigh East 26 Blackbrook 14 THE league points drought that has hit Blackbrook lately continued on Saturday as they fell to their fifth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of mid-table Leigh East. The spectre of relegation back to the Conference

  • Daisy smells sweet

    AS you laugh you almost forget the dark, ugly nature of this play You might think that unlikely considering the story concerns a racist white old lady in America's deep south in the 1930s who is forced by her son to employ a black chauffeur. But, believe

  • JOL round-up

    LATEST results and fixtures in the St Helens McDonald's JOL are as follows: RESULTS Tuesday, September 28 Under 12s: Senley & Garswood 1 Agrevo Jnrs 3, Rocket 0 Ravenhead Jnrs 3, St Annes Rvrs 3 Lane Ends Athletic 1, Whiston Jnrs 6 Haydock 0, Oak

  • Nigel's fast track to success

    A BLACKPOOL speed demon is on the road to success in a driving competition - despite having had no racing experience. Nigel Walker, from Penhill Close, North Shore, has surpassed his wildest dreams in the 1999 Vauxall Vectra Scholarship- his latest time

  • Disabled woman will lose bus pass

    A BLACKPOOL woman fears she will be almost a prisoner in her own home when she has to give up her disability bus pass at 65. Claremont Road resident Miss P.A.Taylor wrote to the Citizen when she discovered she would be forced to give up her disability

  • New poetry to be unveiled at LitFest

    A WRITER who has travelled the world will unveil new poetry about Lancaster and Morecambe Bay at this year's LitFest. Milner Place's extraordinary life has taken him from digging in South African copper mines and timber felling to being a professional

  • Policeman tells of 'hell'

    A FYLDE policeman has spoken of his relief at arriving home safely from the riot-torn island of East Timor. Sgt Tony Parker, who is based at Kirkham police station, risked his life as part of a United Nations police team guarding officials during the

  • Netball: Bronze delight for Tracey and England aces

    TRACEY NEVILLE took her goal haul to 176 as England finished up as bronze medalists in the World Netball Championships in New Zealand. The Bury ace hit the net five times from seven attempts in the 54-44 semi-final defeat by Australia and then landed

  • Motor sport: Race ace Steve defies the odds

    'IT'S not the size of the dog in the fight it's the size of the fight in the dog' is a maxim that's close to the heart of Prestwich motorcycle racer Steve McDonald. And it's a sentiment that's spurred the 32-year-old sales engineer of Newtown Street to

  • Deepdale Diary

    CATCH all the kicks that count LIVE when PNE travel to Arsenal for the third round of the Worthington Cup next Tuesday. With fewer than 3,000 fans able to travel to the game due to ticket restrictions, the PNE board has pulled out all the stops to bring

  • Amelia launches heartbreaker search

    A FORMER Leigh pensioner was heartbroken when she saw the love of her life vanish into the swirling depths of an Australian river. Amelia Ditchfield, now 79, had carried a photograph of her wartime love in her purse for almost 50 years. But she dropped

  • Colonnades get the big treatment

    ONE of Blackpool's most picturesque attractions is being restored to its former glory. The neo-classical Middle Walk colonnades on the promenade, which date from the 1920s, are being renovated using state-of-the-art engineering techniques. The colonnades

  • Youth Club in gear to help Romanian kids

    LOWTON Youth Club members are planning a series of fund-raising frollicks - to help take orphaned Romanian children on holiday in their home country. Their efforts start on Saturday with a car wash session between 10am and noon on the Lowton Independent

  • Lynette bids to pot a title

    A BLACKPOOL snooker queen is right on cue to pocket a top honour, despite only being able to play part-time. World Ladies number 3, Lynette Horsburgh - a publicity officer at Blackpool and The Fylde College - has been nominated in the Lady Player of the

  • Turn of the Mack

    COMEDIAN Ken Dodd is in serious danger of losing his title of king of the late, late shows as North End continue to knock in winners in extra time. Having spent the second half camped out in the Cambridge half, North End looked to have failed to capitalise

  • Brian battles for Railway

    EURO MP Brian Simpson is fighting to bring back Golborne's railway station. One of 10 new NW representatives in Brussels, Brian hails from Holly Road, Golborne. And he is appealing to residents for their help to create new life in the centre. He wants

  • IS Nogan sleeping with the enemy?

    OUT-of-favour striker Kurt Nogan has been linked with an astonishing move to arch rivals Blackpool. The rumour of a loan deal, flagged up on a teletext advert for an unofficial premium rate PNE call line, has been rubbished by both David Moyes and chairman

  • It looks like I've just about had my chips

    Wright On! - Shelley Wright takes a wry look at life LAST night I found myself in one of those situations where you sit wondering how on earth you ended up there, doing that, then, when what you were actually supposed to be doing was going to the chippy

  • Firm packages sweet success

    STAFF at a packaging factory are helping keep kids across the country happy! The Boxes site at Great Harwood is working with Trebor Bassett to produce 18 different cartons for a new sweet range being introduced by the company. The majority of the packaging

  • Man dies in house blaze

    A 52-year-old man died following a blaze at a house in Gloucester Street, Parr, on Monday night. The body of 52-year-old Ronald Edwards was recovered from the living room of the home - a female occupant managed to escape unhurt. The living room was severely

  • The price is right!

    MORECAMBE'S Midland Hotel could become a boarded-up eyesore unless a new buyer comes to the rescue. In the week that the Eric Gill relief sculpture finally returned to the resort, the art-deco hotel was put back on the market at a knock-down price of

  • Petit problem for PNE

    PRESTON North End have been dealt a blow in the run up to their massive game with Premiership side Arsenal - Emmanuel Petit will be fit for action. The French midfielder is backing in training with the Gunners and expects to be fit to face Preston in

  • Back on air

    THE Radio Authority is to re-advertise the local radio licence for Morecambe Bay. The authority has received three other bidders for the licence currently held by The Bay, which this week laid off a number of staff. The new licence will run for eight

  • Geest to close: 90 face axe

    EMPLOYEES at Geest Bananas have been told that the ripening plant in Walkers Lane, Sutton Manor, which opened in the sixties, is due to close in the next couple of months. Operations director, Richard Worrall, travelled up from the company's headquarters

  • Search for taxi scam man

    THE man at the centre of the VSG Taxi scam which left dozens of local people out of pocket has featured in a trade magazine. Under the banner headline "Where is Wildbore?" Private Hire Monthly has put out an appeal to discover the whereabouts of Mr Wildbore

  • Julie takes drugs battle into prison

    JULIE CRITCHLEY is a key player in the battle to tackle one of the area's biggest problems. She has been appointed drugs worker at Hindley Prison and will work with the many juveniles who pass through the criminal justice system only to find themselves

  • Top news for town's workers

    WORKERS in St Helens are among the best in the country according to an economic report by the Bradford and Bingley building society highlighting the best and the worst places to do business. St Helens is rated joint second, with Altrincham, Greater Manchester

  • Hugh knows all about life's highs and lows

    MORECAMBE daredevil Hugh Morrison knows all about life's high and lows. The marine diver from Redwood Drive is claiming a UK record for the highest skydive and lowest subsea dive by a civilian. Hugh, 52, has just returned from a two-week break in America

  • Bill was honest and hard-working

    A GRATEFUL Borough bid farewell to Bill Smith on Friday. The Tyldesley mayor, who died after a long battle against cancer, was fondly remembered in a funeral service at St George's Church. A congregation approaching 400 included MPs Terry Lewis, Lawrence

  • Raising awareness

    LOCAL breast cancer survivor Denise Jackson has joined the Cancer Research Campaign in urging women across Lancaster to be breast aware. Denise from Galgate helped launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the charity's Lancaster shop on Monday where pink

  • Service award

    STAFF at TNT Ramsbottom depot are celebrating the company's second customer service accolade of the year. Two months after collecting the 1999 Motor Transport Customer Care Award, TNT UK has scooped the internationally recognised Daily Telegraph/Energis

  • This catwalk show is all about rubbish

    YOUNG would-be fashion designers in Pendle are being urged to turn out some rubbish designs for clothes, literally, and take part in an unusual catwalk show. Environmental education group Community Action Network (CAN) wants children to come up with ideas

  • Into cyber space at centre

    DERBYSHIRE Hill youth centre in Parr is to be transformed into a cyber cafe. The project has financial backing of £218,841 from Europe, the SRB fund and the borough council youth service. It will run for three years through to 2001. The cyber cafe will

  • Jack was with Dad's Army

    JACK WILSON has lived his life "on the buses". His family is steeped in LUT tradition from the early days of the trolley through to the double decker glory of the diesel in the 70s. Back at the dawn of the century his father Thomas carted the ashes for

  • Sick, sick, sick and tired

    AS STAFF morale plummets along with nursing levels at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, a bleaker picture emerges of cancelled operations, bed shortages and whole-ward closure. And ten cancer sufferers have had major operations put back in the last month as

  • Ticket fury at Saints

    RED-FACED Saints have apologised to furious fans who were caught up in Grand Final ticket mayhem on Tuesday, and insisted it was not the club's fault. Tickets were scheduled to go on general sale from 4pm, but when hundreds of supporters arrived, many

  • Staff to share Walmart windfall

    ASDA employees in Radcliffe, Bury and Pilsworth are set to share in a £6.6 million windfall as staff benefit from the recent swoop by American giant Wal-Mart. The supermarket's workers were told this week that they would receive between £800 and £23,000

  • Saints 'quietly optimistic'

    WITH Grand Final fever sweeping the town for the first time, Saints are 'quietly optimistic' that the coveted silverware will be on the Knowsley Road sideboard come Saturday night. That was the bouyant mood in the camp this week, as coach Ellery Hanley's

  • What a build-up!

    THE final brick of the entrance cone at the World of Glass museum site has been put in to place and heralds the completion of the first such cone in this country for more than 150 years The impressive 50ft feature is made up of 80,000 bricks and at its

  • SCARS aim to come clean

    SANKEY Canal Restoration Society (SCARS), the Waterway Recovery Group and St Helens Ranger Service, are set to clean up two sections of the Sankey Canal in Earlestown on Sunday, October 10, starting at 10am. Local volunteers are invited to join in the

  • Home improvement

    TENANTS and homeowners will be asked to play their part when Bury Council rings the changes to save energy. The local authority has appointed Access Telemarketing to carry out a detailed telephone survey in the borough in a bid to radically improve energy

  • Why was he freed?

    THE mother of a pregnant woman strangled by Bury "House of Horror" pervert Geoffrey Hardin never even knew the released killer was living on her doorstep. And Mrs Eileen Cain has blasted police for failing to inform her that her daughter's murderer had

  • Investing in the BT Group

    THE Bury Times Group has become one of the first newspaper publishers in the North West to gain the coveted "Investors in People" status. The award, which recognises the company's commitment to staff training and development, took just 12 months to secure

  • Samaritans' door is even more open

    SAMARITANS in Bury opened a new door to help people in distress. After a five-year wait the Samaritans' new premises in Knowsley Road was formally opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillor John Costello, and his wife, Anne. Unlike their former

  • Death probe as man collapses

    POLICE are investigating an incident on Sunday evening, when a 69-year-old man collapsed and died in an alley way close to his home in Westleigh Place. A post-mortem revealed that 69-year-old Edward Bowles died of a thrombosis. Police are not treating

  • Hopes for peace in fire dispute

    THERE are renewed hopes that a solution may at last be found to put an end to the Greater Manchester firefighters dispute. The Local Government Association Fire Forum is to meet in a fortnight, says County Fire Officer George Almond. He said: "This follows

  • Former bishop dies

    A RETIRED Bishop of Salford who welcomed the Pope to Manchester has died at the age of 91. The Rt Rev Thomas Holland retired in 1983 and lived at Nazareth House in Scholes Lane, Prestwich. He had been suffering from cancer and died at North Manchester

  • Shaping the future of care

    AN initiative to help local parents and young people shape the future of services for disabled children has been launched in St Helens. Disability support worker Ken Williams - whose new post has been jointly funded by Barnardo's, St Helens Council, and

  • Do you care enough?

    ST HELENS Adoption and Foster Care Service is launching another drive to find prospective adopters to consider providing a permanent new home for children in and around the borough. National Adoption Week, organised by the British Agencies for Adoption

  • High praise for Chapelfield

    A UNIQUE achievement has been made by a Radcliffe primary school. Chapelfield CP does not have a single weakness - and that's official! Ofsted inspectors could not find anything wrong with the Clough Street school, and not one single key issue was put

  • Centre stage for St Helens

    THE St Helens Town Centre Partnership was launched last week in front of more than 70 business leaders from industry, retail, the utilities, the voluntary and the public sector. The partnership is an initiative between public and private sectors and its

  • Get your flu jab now

    LOCAL health services are warning people who are considered 'at risk' to get their flu jabs now in preparation for the winter months ahead. Flu is a viral infection that anyone can catch at any time of year but it is most common between December and March

  • Fifty golden years

    A COUPLE today marked 50 years together with a celebration for the whole family. Alec and Annie Moran, of Norfolk Street, Darwen, met at a dance in 1947 shortly after Alec's return from service in the Second World War. They were married two years later

  • Teen thugs terror of hate campaign victim

    AN elderly man is calling for action after claiming has become become the target of a hate campaign being waged by young yobs. Mr Roy Leach, 71, says his home has been vandalised three times in a week by the teenage thugs, who also taunt him when he leaves

  • Harold Peakes at right time

    BOWLER Harold Peake is Leigh's Champion of Champions. The Botanical Gardens stalwart hit Peake form to take the trophy at Leigh Bowling Club from a strong field of 18 players - each of whom qualified by winning the merit in their respecting leagues or

  • Today's the Day

    A look back at events in history on October 8 with Mike Badham 1361: In a strange variant of trial by combat, a dog fought his master's murderer. After a man called Aubrey Montdidier was killed, his dog sought out the killer and attacked him. The dog

  • Hall has a ball

    LEIGH EAST scored a 36-14 win against Blackbrook - but victory was not as easy as the scoreline suggests. It does, however, boost flagging morale. The return of dynamic hooker Gary Fletcher - celebrating his Great Britain U23s selection - and the first

  • 25 years ago

    From the Bury Times, October 8, 1974 WORK: A survey put out by the Manpower employment agency revealed that fewer than one employer in four was planning to hire new people in the next three months - an eight per cent fall over last quarter. This could

  • RMI pay for missed chances

    IT'S back to Square One for Leigh RMI after they squandered the chance of reaching the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. It should have been plain sailing against Crook Town. But a whole host of missed opportunities cost them dear in a 1-1 draw.

  • Victim's concern for church thief

    A CHURCHGOER took a "charitable" view when a thief helped himself to her handbag from the vestry. Burnley magistrates heard how Terence Swallow's victim would have given him money had she known his circumstances and would have also offered him a job.

  • East Lancs fears loss of Euro handouts

    LARGE areas of East Lancashire were today bracing themselves for bad news from a key Euro cash announcement by the government. It was feared that only Blackburn with Darwen and part of the Ribble Valley would continue to benefit from European Objective

  • Primary schools top of the class

    BURY's primary schools are among the best in the entire country. A breakdown of this summer's Standard Attaintment Tests (SATs) results shows Bury is the seventh best local education authority in the nation. Bury's school standards spokesman Coun Andrea

  • Brig finals chance

    BAMBER Bridge have the chance of reaching the last final to be held under Wembley's famous twin towers - the FA Umbro Trophy. Brig will find out their opponents when the second round of the competition is drawn at Everton's Goodison Park at 1pm on Monday

  • I won't be going again

    I HAVE just visited your St Helens market. I went to the wool stall to buy quite a large quantity of wool only to be told they were closed. The time was 4.50pm. No wonder people are not visiting the market if they receive this treatment. I, for one, will

  • No welcome for refugees

    KOSOVAR refugees are living it up in newly refurbished properties while the homes of local residents remain dilapidated and badly maintained. The situation has created an 'air of unease' on central Preston's housing estates, according to some residents

  • Students died in horrific collision

    A DISTRAUGHT nurse involved in a fireball smash which killed two college students today told of how the horrific scene will haunt her for the rest of her life. Blackburn College students Gareth Edwards and Joseph Slupski died in a three vehicle crash

  • Short cut to fitness

    CRAIG Short was set to play his first game for three weeks today, as Blackburn Rovers boss Brian Kidd made special preparations to get more of his casualties match fit. Sidelined by a hamstring strain since the middle of last month, the central defender

  • Europeans test our safe streets

    BURY'S continental counterparts came to town to discover the secret behind the successful community safety warden scheme. And town hall and college leaders know that the foreign visitors will have more than just fine words to take away with them. Bury

  • Thanks to the Star

    I AM writing on the behalf of the management committee of Newton Community Centre to thank the Star for the support and co-operation given to us by continually publishing articles regarding our programme of activities. We are a voluntary organisation

  • Secret striker signing

    BAMBER Bridge manager Tony Greenwood plans to sign a striker before midnight tomorrow to boost his injury-ravaged squad. Despite signing all-rounder Dave Maze from Winsford United last week, Greenwood intends to sign his mystery player before the deadline

  • Can you pin old game down?

    GREAT waves of nostalgia start rolling in every time the subject of old-time street games crops up. And following the recent item about tut-tut trolleys, made from pram wheels and planks of wood, Mrs K. Hughes of Campbell Street, St Helens, mentions an

  • Panel prepares to name top woman

    VICE-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, Alexandra Burslem, will headline this year's Bury Woman of the Year awards ceremony. Mrs Burslem, who has been vice-chancellor for two years, will be the guest speaker at the Elizabethan Suite on

  • Home truths about market

    MAY I, through your paper, point out a few home truths about our new market. As a trader for 20 odd years, I am very concerned. Everyone is struggling with high rents and loss of trade and through no fault of our own we were moved from a prime position

  • Health at schools

    NORTH West schools have been urged to become more healthy by developing personal, social and health education. Minister for Public Health Tessa Jowell and School Standards Minister Jacqui Smith are encouraging schools to work towards recognition under

  • You should vote with your feet

    I FELT compelled to write about the new lap dancing club. If, as I would hope is the case, the people of St Helens don't want it then it will soon close due to lack of business. The best way to vote in this country is with your feet or your purse. If,

  • Transport centre to be redone

    A £300,000 town centre transport scheme will be trimmed after backers miscalculated the costs. The Clitheroe Interchange will integrate bus and rail services at a new purpose-built centre at the town's railway station. The project is a joint initiative

  • Legacy for Castle

    I HAVE before me two documents. One is your report about a dog fouling fine involving Cllr Bob Clark, Deputy Chairman of Lancashire County Council. The other is a letter to residents of Castle Ward entitled "Labour's Legacy to Castle Ward." This identifies

  • Refs call foul play

    WE wish to respond to the letter from 'Concerned Parent' about junior footbal (Star, September). While we obviously regret even the most minor injury suffered by any player, injuries will happen, nasty fouls will be committed. On this item we would point

  • Barking mad!

    AS we approach the end of the year and indeed the turn of the century we shall no doubt be looking to give out accolades for outstanding work. Following your excellent reporting of the bringing to justice of the deputy chairman of the county council,

  • New year taxi fares too dear

    COUNCILLORS have told taxi drivers that they won't be able to charge extra fares during the Millennium celebrations. Just a week after agreeing to foot the bill to illuminate the town centre with Christmas lights throughout December, councillors dished

  • Petition to town hall goes walkabouts

    ABOUT 12 months ago the council issued leaflets regarding the proposed road closure of Barley Cop Lane. I contacted Cllr Gratton and registered his views. He stated that he did not want the road closing but wanted some form of traffic-calming measures

  • Officer loses finger in pursuit

    A SENIOR police officer has praised the bravery of one of his officers who had part of his finger ripped off while in pursuit of a gang of crooks. Preston Police Constable Mark Pass is still receiving physiotherapy for his injury, which happened as he

  • Do dog vandals face a fine?

    RESPONSIBLE dog owners have always cleaned up after their pets and the bins provided are a much-needed amenity for them: it saves them taking the dirt home. But what does disgust us, is the fact that mindless youths empty the bins all over the park. So

  • Abba are re-Bjorn. . .with a little help from Elvis

    Bjorn Again/Steve Preston, at King George's Hall, Blackburn THE two tribute acts making a welcome return to the town could have been forgiven for thinking they had travelled back in time when they peered from behind the curtain at the audience. The 70s

  • New hitch hits Xanadu

    ANOTHER obstacle appeared this week on the road to Xanadu. On Tuesday an inquiry into Xanadu developer Greenbank Partnership's application for a rail station and link road at Kenyon was postponed. The public inquiry at Leigh Town Hall, following Warrington

  • Ban Mill Gate munchers

    WALKING through Mill Gate shopping centre in Bury around 12.30pm. I was disgusted to see just how many people were sitting eating out of paper bags and cartons. Why can't they have their dinner at home, or at their place of work, or at school? All they

  • Responsible dog owners at risk

    I READ with interest how the council is going to impose £1,000 fines on people who do not clear up after dog fouling. So that means that anybody who gets up at 6am, in all weathers, to put their dog on the leash and walk it out will be liable. Other dog

  • Louts rob Tyldesley grave

    A GRIEVING mum was devastated to find louts had robbed her son's grave. Every Sunday for the past three years Tyldesley mother Susan Woodcock has visited her son David's burial place. But last weekend Susan, her mum and sister were appalled when they

  • When will charity begin at home?

    I AM a British citizen and served my country for six and a half years, taking a bullet in the leg in the process. And I can't get a penny from the government. I am trying my best to get a job but because my wife earns enough for us to scrape by, but the

  • More cash to help victims

    A PROJECT that gives training and advice to victims of domestic violence is one of three Preston schemes to attract lottery cash. The Sahara Project (Preston) Ltd has scooped more than £380,000 in the National Lottery Charities Board's latest round of

  • Did tree surgeons have permission?

    BARRACKS Lodge Community Association exists to protect and enhance the amenity and environment of the area which focuses on Barracks Lodge and the adjacent open space - our "village green" as we see it. On September 15 tree surgeons visited an empty property

  • Horror site 'an accident waiting to happen'

    A TEENAGER found hanged from a tree in Leyland is believed to have died the night before he was discovered. Terrence Collins, 15, was spotted by an early morning dog walker in parkland off Western Drive, Leyland, last Thursday. Officers are now treating

  • Trouble brews at vicarage

    AN eight foot-tall fence to keep children away from a high voltage electrical site in Bamber Bridge has stirred up trouble at the local vicarage. As construction workers began to erect the metal security fence at the Norweb Sub Station site, off Station

  • Church visit a revelation

    I TOOK advantage of the offer to attend an 'open day' at St John the Baptist Church, Bircle, on Sunday and what a revelation it proved to be. I received a warm welcome and found a beautiful church. It is several years ago since I attended there - for

  • Fly-tip sparks health scare

    DISCARDED syringes and persistent fly-tipping on the Clayton Brook estate, near Preston, could be the start of a major health hazard, according to worried residents. They claim the problem stems from a drainage ditch at the back of Daisy Meadow, on the

  • We've got fast food and 'Kosovo'

    AS a resident of Whitefield, living within a few yards of the now dilapidated Elms Precinct, I would like to express my concerns - to Councillor Boden in particular - over the decline in services and facilities in this area and the apparent lack of interest

  • Councillor U-turn on gay outing

    CONDEMNED councillor Joe Fitzgerald has promised not to out fellow homosexual councillors if they don't back his equal opportunities motion. His astonishing U-turn comes just a week after the Citizen revealed Coun Fitzgerald's 'back me or be outed' plans

  • Shelters get mixed response

    PLANS to erect 'hang-outs' for bored youths have provoked mixed reactions across South Ribble. While residents in Coupe Green oppose the proposed shelters, designed to give young people somewhere to go, and stop them being a neighbourhood nuisance, Farington

  • Company director is banned

    VALLI Adam Umarji, of Dodgson Road, Preston, was disqualified from acting as a company director for four years when he appeared in Manchester County Court on September 20. The Disqualification Order prevents Mr Umarji from being a director of a company

  • Time to do the right thing

    NEXT week city councillors will debate whether or not to hold an inquiry into the sacking of former tourism chief David Christley. Mr Christley, as readers will probably be aware, was unfairly dismissed by the council after he was accused of bullying

  • Blue bags collected

    MORE than 1,900 tonnes of newspapers and magazines have been recycled in South Ribble in the past year. The council has thanked all participants in the 'blue bag' kerbside collection scheme who recycled so much material that collection rounds had to be

  • College mourns 'popular student'

    STUDENTS at Preston's university are mourning the death of a popular scholar who was just a year away from completing an honours degree. Toby Scott, 22, died just before starting the third year of a BA (Hons) degree in furniture design at the University

  • FIVE YEARS AGO: Swimathon a big hit

    A SWIMATHON raised £500 for local charities. And with Burnley Football Club getting in the swim, it was hoped the total would eventually top £2,000. The event at Padiham Baths was organised by Burnley Round Table and sponsored by Althams. Seven teams

  • Help for young drug users

    A PRESTON-based charity has been given funding for a project to help young homeless drug users and vulnerable people. The Lloyds TSB Foundation has donated £24,000 to Drugline Lancashire to run the three-year Homeless and Vulnerable Young Persons Project

  • Surfing the suburbs

    FULWOOD is at the forefront of the internet revolution - it's the only area in the country to boast its own community site! The site, which was launched by resident Simon Brown in July, is already taking off, with locals logging on to check out community

  • NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Dancers at the Anchor

    DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes has unveiled a secret weapon in his bid to get the Anchormen back in the First North Western Trains League First Division - step aerobics! Wilkes took his squad to a step class at Scholars Health Club in Higher Walton earlier

  • All-ticket clash

    BLACKPOOL FC's Nationwide League Division Two home match against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, November 6 will kick off at noon and has been made all ticket for both home and visiting supporters. Tickets are now on sale from the ticket office at Bloomfield

  • Skip firm to the rescue

    PRESTON'S Fire and Rescue Service had to call for help from an unusual source to help stop this blaze spreading - a skip company. Preston Borough Council blocked the entrances to the old market in Bow Lane to keep out intruders - but they also prevented

  • LOCAL CRICKET: Marsh back for Tod

    DANIEL Marsh will be returning to Centre Vale for a second stint as Todmorden professional next summer. But he will be playing under a new captain following Richard Baigent's decision to retire from the game. Marsh, son of legendary Australian wicketkeeper

  • New five-a-side leagues

    JANUARY 2000 will see the new facilities at St Annes YMCA launch adults (16+) and veterans (35+) five-a-side leagues running every Monday evening indoors in the large Sports Hall on St Albans Road. Ten teams are required for each league and teams will

  • We should all boycott French goods

    The dispute over British beef exports gets more farcical by the day. The French are still refusing to budge from their defiant stance, pointing to the findings of their own critical report on British beef and ignoring a European Union decision which gave

  • BOWLS: Thwaites East Lancashire Premier League

    WITH only one match remaining in the league, Colne Cricket Club are favourites to take the title. They currently hold a nine point lead over second-placed St Andrew's who won the title last season. This week, Colne had a 14-0 home victory over Turton,

  • Was it all for nothing?

    THE Italian Romano Prodi, newly-elected President of the European Commission, recently said: "Many countries are leaving behind their roots and their strong traditions while coming together." Why? For what purpose? What a depressing outlook! What about

  • The bride ate chips

    THE bride ate chips and the groom wore clogs for the most bizarre wedding lunch on record! Tony Case and Sue Ashcroft had somehow managed to keep their reception venue a close secret from even their closest family members and friends. So eyes popped open

  • NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Coleman the goal man

    ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman may be just one goal away from an amazing personal milestone. But he has more important goals on his mind this weekend - like beating Leek in the FA Umbro Trophy. In a brilliant career with the likes of Southport and

  • Revolting behaviour

    I WOULD like to draw the attention of your readers to something that was discovered in St James' Churchyard last week. Someone had smeared human excreta over the lock to the church doors. Somewhere, in our area, we have a person who, not only is completely

  • NON-LEAGUE SOCCER: Team news round-up

    CHORLEY midfielder Adam Critchley is out of his side's FA Umbro Trophy tie with Moor Green at Victory Park tomorrow. Critchley could be sidelined for some time after tearing a thigh muscle in the Magpies 1-1 draw with Netherfield Kendal on Tuesday night

  • Making friends

    PUPILS at St Mary's RC High School were treated to a day off from the regular timetable on Friday (October 1) to celebrate Friendship Day. All 241 Year 7 pupils took part in the day, designed to enable them to build on friendships they had established

  • Facing four counties challenge

    THE Blackpool Borough Indoor Bowls Centre will host the Four Counties Challenge Trophy this Saturday (Oct 9), commencing 10am. The annual event is held in one of the competing four counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Dumfriesshire each year

  • Laws being flouted

    READING the following items in the local press in the past few weeks has made me wonder if "law-abiding" has taken on a new meaning. First, we have our local MP suggesting breaking the speed limits. I assume this is what he means after refusing to back

  • Dragons fire up for cup

    Rylands 16 West Sutton Dragons 23 THE Dragons put their poor start to the league campaign behind them to record a very hard-fought away victory in this Lancashire cup tie. In atrocious conditions both teams gave their all and at times produced some good

  • Beesley on the mend

    NO-ONE wants to help the Seasiders' cause more than injured defender Paul Beesley. The team's disastrous start to the season has been watched from the bench by summer signing Paul who fractured his ankle in a pre-season game against Crewe. Now on the

  • Pupils 'grill' MPs

    YOUNGSTERS from Highfield High School, Blackpool, got the chance to quiz the people in power on Monday (October 4) in a Question Time event hosted by British Telecom. The event, which took place in the Stakis Hotel, was supported by BT as one of a number

  • 'Sully' earns late call-up

    SAINTS' flying winger Anthony Sullivan has earned a late call-up to the Great Britain party for the Tri-Nations tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Although omitted from coach Andy Goodway's initial train-on squad, the selection of the flying 'Sully

  • Hockey round-up

    LYTHAM ST ANNES MENS 1ST XI 5 DEESIDE RAMBLERS 2 APART from putting LSA firmly on top of Division 1 in the Northern Counties Hockey League with 14 goals for and only 2 against, the match indicated the improvement of the team this season having lost twice

  • Everton trialist for Shrimps

    JIM Harvey has taken on a former Everton junior on trial. Peter Holcroft, 23, spent the last two years at Swindon but was released at the end of last season. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost

  • Ruskin muscled out of it

    Marple 35 Ruskin Park 10 AFTER matching their bigger opponents for much of the first half, Ruskin were gradually worn down in the second period, and, in the end, went down rather heavily. A superb try by Ste Wood, and a conversion and a penalty by Stu

  • 13 top tippling spots!

    LUCKY for some - that's the13 Fylde Coast hostelries listed in the millennium edition of the ale-lover's bible, the Good Beer Guide. Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde members of the Campaign for Real Ale nominated their choice of the best locals to be included

  • Vale in search of first home victory

    Vale 17 Bridlington 19 VALE of Lune are still searching for their first home win this season after narrowly losing to Yorkshire side, Bridlington. Brid's forwards were too big and strong and dominated play for long periods and Vale couldn't muster enough

  • Jackpot joy for Julie

    LADY luck has smiled on Julie Hellowell - the first winner of a local charity's lottery draw. The 30-year-old mum of two from Poulton said she was over the moon when Karen Carman, lottery manager for the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind

  • I'd love to wash in a bucket

    I'VE been captivated by the Channel 4 programme The 1900 House. I'd love to time travel like the chosen family, and live just like the Victorians did - if only for a short time. I know I must be mad, but I'm a fan of the antiques of that era, and to have

  • Up the junction!

    A LATE night survey of Lancaster's Scotforth Road has revealed that many heavy goods vehicles travel through the city rather than follow the signed route north to Heysham. Green councillors Tony Pinkney and Emily Heath carried out the survey on Scotforth

  • Health staff boost

    HEALTH minister Frank Dobson has promised a more flexible NHS to attract high-quality nursing staff. The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) criticised the NHS for being inflexible - claiming that nurses have to take sick, annual or unpaid leave in times of

  • £450,000 project is a job for the Boyes

    A £450,000 project to provide a resource centre for voluntary organisations throughout Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, has taken another major step forward as contractors began renovation work on the premises. Dorothy Lowe, chief officer of the Council

  • Derby rivals sink Shrimps

    Morecambe 1 Southport 2 A LACKLUSTRE Morecambe display saw coastal rivals Southport get the upper hand in this MacMillan Trophy clash on Tuesday night. It was a poor Shrimps performance but manager Jim Harvey will take heart from the return of Andy Milner

  • Finch pay for missed chances

    Hindley 33 Haresfinch 20 LACK of composure and their inability to take chances once again cost Finch dearly. Hindley raced into a 13-0 lead with two tries, two goals and a drop goal. But Finch hit back when skipper Anthony Seabrook sent winger Paul Beardsworth

  • The cheque's in the post

    HUNDREDS of people on the breadline in Morecambe had to struggle without their dole cheque for the second time in a row this week. Harassed DSS staff - who have been inundated with complaints - blamed the Royal Mail for the problem. One man who had not

  • Euro cash blow for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

    AREAS left reeling from recent job losses were today dealt another hammer blow as it was revealed that they are to lose out on millions of pounds of Euro cash. Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale have missed out altogether on Objective Two funding with only

  • Jackson on song again

    Morecambe 1 Woking 0 JUSTIN Jackson was back to his best against one of his former clubs on Saturday. And he'll have to be on form for a few weeks yet - even with Andy Milner making his long awaited comeback - with other striker Phil Eastwood possibly

  • Tough going for Park

    West Park 24 Penrith 18 AFTER two hard games last season Park knew what to expect from a typically tough Cumbrian pack. The homesters conceded territorial advantage to Penrith in the game's early minutes and found themselves three points down when they

  • Susan has the perfect touch

    A MODERN technique to improve people's well-being is bringing a Blackpool practitioner nationwide recognition. The "metamorphic" technique has been used by Susan Lane (pictured with a patient) at her Bloomfield practice for nine years - the only metamorphic

  • Blues take it to the Bridge

    LANCASTER now have a juicy FA cup derby game at home against Bamber Bridge later this month after this dramatic victory. The team didn't arrive home to Lancaster until 3am and they were tired. Tired but happy in the knowledge that they have been voted

  • LSH undone by basic errors

    Liverpool St Helens 10 Doncaster 33 LSH contributed much to their own downfall as they were made to pay dearly for basic mistakes. Straight from the kick-off they were put under pressure when their kick did not travel 10 metres and Doncaster secured possession

  • Cab shortage for big night

    TAXI firms in Lancaster and Morecambe still don't know if they'll be able to run any cabs on New Year's Eve. The firms can't work out whether it's worth their while because the city council still haven't set a fare limit for the council regulated hackney

  • Cabbies clock up £3 bonus

    BLACKPOOL taxi-drivers have welcomed a £3-a-fare supplement for Millennium Eve. The resort's Licensed Taxi-Drivers Association had protested when Blackpool Council, which regulates fares, had originally said normal weekend rates should apply to Millennium

  • Junior soccer hit by weather-beaten

    FIXTURES in the Byrne Hire Rainhill Junior League over the weekend were badly hit by the wet weather with only six games surviving. RESULTS Under 15s: League: Blackbrook Juniors 5 Knowsley South 2. Under 13s: Cup 1st round: St Helens Town 1 Captains Lane

  • 'Super sub' Sean tames Tigers

    Saints 36 Castleford Tigers 6 A MOUTHWATERING trip to tackle Bradford Bulls at Old Trafford's Theatre of Dreams on Saturday was realised for slick-handling, six-try Saints after this highly professional performance. And one player in particular stole

  • Bid to create heritage centre

    A BLACKPOOL heritage centre could become a time-tunnel into the history of seaside resorts around the country. That is the hope of the town's Civic Trust, whose secretary Elaine Smith is campaigning for a full-scale heritage centre in the resort. "Blackpool

  • Find the thug who attacked poor And

    THIS poor Lancaster teenager had his head rammed through a wall at Lancaster's ABC cinema by a thug in his late 20s a few weeks ago. Now 13-year-old Andrew Wilson and his parents Tricia and Richard want witnesses to the beating to come forward so they

  • What about the tenants?

    A COMMUNITY leader from Morecambe has spoken out against the authorities for not including potential victims of crime in a new anti-crime initiative. Brian Ogston - a prominent member of the Morecambe Labour Party and member of the Poulton Residents'

  • Town pay double penalty

    St Helens Town 1 Newcastle Town 2 THIS clash of two sides with hitherto unbeaten First North Western Trains records at Hoghton Road on Saturday produced a very close contest. Alas, it was the St Helens record which fell. Disappointing as this was, Town

  • Police on guard

    MORE than 900 police officers from all over Lancashire have been posted to Blackpool this week to guard the Conservative party conference (October 10-14). The £1million operation, commanded by Assistant Chief Constable John Vine, includes not only security

  • Combination squad pipped by old rivals

    THE Combination Open Age side gave an excellent display in the Group One tie of the North West Inter League Alliance at Robin Park. Playing old adversaries Wigan Amateur League at Wigan, because of the lack of local evening facilities, the Combination

  • School pledges support for child charity

    A BLACKPOOL school is giving its support to a national appeal to help the childrenof the next millennium. A number of teachers and staff at Arnold School are taking part in the Children's Promise millennium final hour appeal which has recently received

  • A good, clean fight!

    "IT'S like being a welterweights fighting in a heavyweight division," explains Mark Harding, who can't quite believe how Lancaster has changed over the last couple of years. "Luckily at the Warehouse we can punch above our weight - but it's tough." After

  • MP joins the inn crowd

    A FYLDE Coast MP is taking to the bar - asking people to air their problems over a pie and a pint. Wyre's Hilton Dawson is believed to be the first MP to conduct official pub tours by going out to local hostelries to talk to constituents as they relax

  • Teacher Lillian began in old Bedford

    A FORMER Leigh teacher has died at the age of 92. Lillian Davies, nee Sankey, one half of a formidable teaching team, started her career at Bedford Church School. She met her husband, fellow teacher Howard Davies, while they were both taking part in Bedford

  • Clarets midfielder set for first start

    JOHN Mullin looks set to start his first League game at Turf Moor since his return to the Clarets in Sunday's televised showdown with Scunthorpe. Mullin has been beset by injury problems following his summer move from Sunderland back to the club where

  • Fylde's image boost in Japan

    IMAGES of the Fylde will be shown to the world at the finals of the Nations in Bloom competition. Fylde Council has entered the competition which judges communities on how they manage their environment. The entry drew on the involvement of a wide range

  • Golf: Success music to Gary's ears

    GOLFER Gary Spann is hitting the right note . . . on and off the course. The 17-year-old Stand Golf member is picking up honours in quick succession after just three years playing the game - and he is also hoping to rise to the top of the charts with

  • Dreaming of a victory

    WHILE most fans are already dreaming of a victory against Arsenal, the reality is that three points at home to Bristol City is far more important. But, with nine players possibly out of action, it could prove a tough task. PNE's sick list makes for depressing

  • Rugby Union: Simply the best!

    Sedgley Park 45pts, Whitchurch 10pts SEDGLEY Park thrilled their supporters with this brilliant display of fifteen man rugby during which six tries were scored against a muscular and well-drilled Whitchurch. Sedgley knew they had to hold the heavyweight

  • Val's award chance

    CATERING worker Valerie Braddon is heading for the top table! Valerie, who works at Calderstones NHS Trust, is in the finals of the Quadrant Excellence award for table setting. Quadrant, which employs 2,500 staff, provides catering services for medical

  • Bury FC: Preecey shares his pain

    Bury 3, Cardiff City 2 NEIL Warnock may have described this game as a 'manager's nightmare' - but it's a fair bet he'd settle for a few more repeat performances over the next few months. Okay, so Cardiff were handed a couple of goals and may even have

  • Knott a bad walk

    Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy - this week at Knott End I LOVE waks which are full of history, industrial archaeology and natural history. When the walk is circular and a free leaflet can be obtained from the local authority, then I am in heaven.

  • Band hits a high note

    MEMBERS of Thornton Cleveleys Band are blowing their own trumpets after a superb performance in a prestigious championship. Around 30 bands took part in the North West Area Brass Bands Association Preston District 51st Annual Championships at the Marine

  • Bikes show green way

    A PRINTING firm is urging customers to get on their bikes! Peter Scott Printers, of Burnley, ran a sales promotion offering the chance to win a mountain bike to customers who placed five orders or more last week. The promotion was designed to coincide

  • Mum's relief as TV horror death crash scrapped

    TV documentary makers scrapped plans to feature an horrific Atherton death crash in a programme screened on Monday. But staff at London-based Lion TV said the decision was purely an editorial one - and not because of pressure from upset relatives. It

  • Mental health service 'the tops'

    FYLDE mental health services are now among the most advanced in the country, claims a health service chief. And a top-level seminar for Lancashire NHS managers last week plotted how to improve services even further. Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Community

  • It's full steam ahead to save

    A CARPET firm has rolled up significant savings thanks to an investment. Causeway Carpets, of Roe Lee Mill, Blackburn, is now in line for an award for its efforts to cut energy costs. The firm introduced equipment to remove heat from waste liquid used

  • No fear say local huntsmen

    LOCAL huntsmen hold no fear of being hounded out of their sport. Whatever the outcome of the government debate to ban fox hunting, they will carry on regardless - despite being regular subjects of abuse The North East Cheshire Drag Hunt, clad in their

  • Old wall could delay new store

    WORK on a new Booths supermarket in Ansdell could begin as soon as next year if plans submitted to Fylde Council are successful. But before work on the three-acre site can start, consent will also be needed to allow alterations to be made to the traditional

  • Real Liberals to hit resort

    BLACKPOOL welcomed the hot air from the Tories, Bournemouth heard the chatter of the Labour Party and Eastbourne listened to the prattling of the Liberal Democrats. Now Morecambe have got the 'real' Liberal Party. The traditional Liberal Party who refused

  • Salvation Army John had tea with Queen

    A TYLDESLEY man who had tea with the Queen and breakfasted with a Prime Minister has died, aged 86. Great grandfather John Taylor died on Thursday at his Tyldesley home. As a boy he joined the Salvation Army "because grandad Taylor had been given a cup

  • A week to remember!

    WAS your school one of the very many taking part in our Newspapers in Education local history project this week, looking at East Lancashire from the Stone Age to the Space Age? Did you look in your copies of our newspaper throughout the week to enter

  • Chain reaction for local cyclists!

    ST HELENS Council is giving its backing to a project which should be good news for cyclists. The council's Highways and Transportation sub-committee has agreed to help finance a pilot scheme at Newton involving a sensor system which detects cyclists as

  • Last post for old comrades

    VETERAN comrades in arms are to gather in Bury for the last time. The annual reunion dinner of the 11th Battalion XX, the Lancashire Fusiliers Old Comrades Association, will be held at the Bury Masonic Hall in Parsons Lane on October 16, from 12pm. However

  • Jo was an inspiration to others

    TRIBUTES have been paid to a brave and selfless teacher who lost her fight against cancer. A memorial service for Golborne High science teacher and sports fanatic Jo Culkeen , who died at the end of last term, took place in the Parish Church last week

  • Stylish end to year

    AS Bury's first Woman of the Year prepares to hand over the crown in two weeks' time, she has been finishing off her reign in style. Lily Reid (72) enjoyed an exclusive trip to London thanks to the generosity of Bury North MP David Chaytor. Mr Chaytor

  • Court clears Sir Alex

    MANCHESTER United soccer supremo Sir Alex Ferguson was in Bury this week to keep a rather unwelcome appointment. The Old Trafford boss was at the town's magistrate's court where he was acquitted of driving along the hard shoulder of the M602 in Eccles

  • £58,000 bingo bonanza for gran

    A 68-year-old disabled grandmother is celebrating this week after scooping £58,000 playing bingo at the town's Mecca Club. The lucky winner, who does not want to be identified, and her husband have been members of the Kirkland Street club since it opened

  • Just the ticket for travellers

    A LOCAL railway station is set for a facelift, thanks to a community initiative. A plan by Billinge and Seneley Green Parish Council to introduce flowers and hanging baskets to the platforms at Garswood station next year has received support from Merseytravel

  • Business as usual after works fire

    TWENTY firefighters tackled a blaze which ripped through a single-storey industrial unit in Bury, causing an estimated £120,000 worth of damage. The cause of the fire at KMA Environmental Services in Manor Street is being investigated. Fire crews arrived

  • Have you got what it takes?

    FUND-RAISERS are being sought to take part in the Millennium's toughest challenge . . . Teams of six are needed to enter the Gallipoli 6 Krypton 2000 Endurance Race - a six-mile run around Holcombe Moor followed by the gruelling Krypton Factor Assault

  • Products and services on show

    THE pride of North West manufacturing will be on show at the Business Voice '99 exhibition next week. And Bury companies will be among those represented at the important two-day event, to be staged at Bolton's Reebok Stadium next Wednesday and Thursday